Can You Name the Canadian Prime Minister From Only One Fact?

By: Heather Cahill
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Can You Name the Canadian Prime Minister From Only One Fact?
Image: Wiki Commons by Ben Sparkes

About This Quiz

Part of being a Canadian is knowing the history of our country. While we can't possibly know every single detail, the more, the better! Knowing the details about a candidate we're voting for or not voting for is only half the battle. Understanding the history of important issues and political parties helps everyone to make informed choices.

It's essential to know the prime ministers who shaped Canada. We should try to understand what they were like and what they valued, as well as how they worked while in power. To a certain degree, we can apply this to how we choose to vote today. 

At the same time, learning a few trivial facts about each prime minister also adds to the fun. There have been quite a few eccentric and interesting people in the office. Gather up your knowledge of their hometowns, their careers and facts about their time in office, and you'll be more than prepared for this quiz.

Think you've got a handle on Canadian politics? In this quiz, you've got one fact and an image to work with, so you'll have to make it count. Take the quiz to prove that you know the people who have governed the country!

Alexander Mackenzie
Wiki Commons by National Portrait Gallery (Great Britain)
This person spent time as a stonemason's apprentice before taking office. Can you name him?
Kim Campbell
Richard Bedford Bennett
Alexander Mackenzie
Arthur Meighen
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Stonemason to prime minister is not the path of most people, but for Alexander Mackenzie, it was an important path. He switched from stonemasonry to general contracting to increase his employment opportunities, and it all seemed to have worked out — he became Canada's second prime minister

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Sir Wilfrid Laurier
Wiki Commons by William James Topley
Which of the following was the first French Canadian prime minister?
Arthur Meighen
Sir John Abbott
Paul Martin
Sir Wilfrid Laurier
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Attending the Diamond Jubilee for the Queen is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, which Laurier had the privilege of doing. He was knighted at the time. He was known for his ability to compromise and sought unity between French and English Canadians.

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Sir Charles Tupper Family
Wiki Commons by William James Topley
He was a father to three sons and three daughters. Who is he?
Louis St. Laurent
John Turner
Brian Mulroney
Sir Charles Tupper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sir Charles Tupper was the sixth prime minister. With an equal number of sons and daughters, Tupper had a lot on his hands, although two daughters died in infancy. His time in politics and law influenced his children, with two of his sons later being involved in politics themselves.

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Stephen Harper
Wiki Commons by TEd Buracas
The reduction of the Goods and Services Tax to 5% is attributed to whom?
Stephen Harper
Kim Campbell
Lester B. Pearson
Sir Charles Tupper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While it was a gradual road to get down to 5%, Stephen Harper and the conservatives decided to lower this tax. Much of what was done under Harper involved cutting spending and dealing with other economic issues in Canada.

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Sir John Abbott
Wiki Commons by Libraries and Archives Canda
He was once the mayor of Montreal. Do you know his name?
Justin Trudeau
Joe Clark
Sir John Abbott
Sir Robert Borden
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Not only was he a mayor for the city, but he also invested money into Montreal businesses. His impact on the entire country can still be felt today through his work with the Canadian Pacific Railway. He was laid to rest in Montreal.

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Lester Bowles Pearson presiding at United Nations
Wiki Commons by BiblioArchives / LibraryArchives from Canada
Which of the following is known for being the president of the United Nations?
Joe Clark
Stephen Harper
Louis St. Laurent
Lester B. Pearson
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Lester B. Pearson participated in the United Nations even before he was Canada's 14th prime minister from 1963 to 1968. He served as president of the UN in the 1950s and won a Nobel Peace Prize in 1957.

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Sir John Thompson
Wiki Commons by William James Topley
Can you name the prime minister who has a species of bird for a middle name?
Brian Mulroney
John Turner
Lester B. Pearson
Sir John Thompson
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sir John Thompson is generally known by his first and last name, but did you know that one of his middle names is "Sparrow"? John Sparrow David Thompson worked alongside Prime Minister John A. MacDonald for a few years before he himself took the position.

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Sir Mackenzie Bowell
Wiki Commons by William James Topley
He was born two days after Christmas. Do you know who he is?
Sir Mackenzie Bowell
Louis St. Laurent
Jean Chretien
Paul Martin
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

December was an important month for Sir Mackenzie Bowell! His birthday and Christmas both fall in this month, plus he began serving as prime minister in December 1894. Unfortunately, December also marked the end of his life. Bowell was Canada's fifth prime minister.

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Paul Martin at World Economic Forum
Wiki Commons by World Economic Forum from Cologny, Switzerland
Which prime minister endorsed the Kelowna Accord?
Paul Martin
Stephen Harper
Sir John Abott
Alexander Mackenzie
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Paul Martin focused on the lives of Aboriginals in Canada. The Kelowna Accord addressed issues including education, employment and living conditions for Aboriginal people, with five national Aboriginal organizations participating in the process.

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Sir John A. MacDonald
Wiki Commons by George Lancefield
You probably know him best as the first prime minister of Canada. Who is he?
Pierre Elliott Trudeau
Alexander Mackenzie
Sir Wilfrid Laurier
Sir John A. MacDonald
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

There's a first for everything, and Sir John A. MacDonald set a precedent when he became Canada's first prime minister. He served two nonconsecutive terms as prime minister, with the first starting in 1867 upon Confederation. He died in office during his second term.

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Sir Wilfrid Laurier
Wiki Commons by GG Bain
During his term, he was very optimistic about Canada in the 20th century. Do you know who he is?
Stephen Harper
Louis St. Laurent
Sir Wilfrid Laurier
Justin Trudeau
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sir Wilfrid Laurier was prime minister at the start of a new century, serving from 1896 to 1911. He went into it with great enthusiasm, stating, "The 20th century shall be the century of Canada and Canadian development."

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Sir Charles Tupper
Wiki Commons by W.& D. Downey
This person is known for serving the shortest term in office. What's his name?
William Lyon Mackenzie King
Paul Martin
Pierre Elliott Trudeau
Sir Charles Tupper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sir Charles Tupper is known for his short term in office — only 68 days. He died in office at the age of 94. He was appointed by the governor general after the resignation of Sir Mackenzie Bowell. He had been considered for the job in the past, when other prime ministers left office.

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Sir Robert Borden
Wiki Commons by Notman, Boston
His time in politics was largely influenced by the Tupper family. It's not Charles Tupper, so who could it be?
Sir Robert Borden
John Diefenbaker
Paul Martin
Jean Chretien
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Many prime ministers knew each other before or during their terms in office. In Sir Robert Borden's case, he was close with the Tupper family through Sir Charles Tupper's son. Borden was the country's eighth prime minister, serving two terms.

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Arthur Meighen
Wiki Commons by Library and Archives Canada
Do you know which of the following was known for his incredible ability to debate?
Arthur Meighen
Joseph Turner
Joe Clark
Justin Trudeau
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Serving two short terms in office, Arthur Meighen was known for his incredible ability to debate. Going up against him in the House of Commons was no easy task, even if you were well prepared!

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Justin Trudeau
Wiki Commons by Jean-Marc Carisse
Which prime minister is the son of another prime minister?
Justin Trudeau
Sir Robert Borden
John Abott
Pierre Elliott Trudeau
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The government runs in the Trudeau family! Starting with Pierre Elliott Trudeau as the 15th prime minister, young Justin Trudeau later followed in his father's footsteps, becoming the 23rd. Both men are famous for many of their decisions and have gone down in Canadian history.

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Sir John Abbott
Wiki Commons by William Notman
Which person served as dean of the faculty of law at McGill for many years before becoming Canada's prime minister?
Sir John Abbott
Kim Campbell
Arthur Meighen
John Diefenbaker
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sir John Abbott didn't only teach at McGill University and serve as dean of the law faculty, but he was also a graduate of the school. One of his students was Sir Wilfrid Laurier, another future prime minister!

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Brian Mulroney
Wiki Commons by Lynch
Can you name the prime minister who was once named as chairman of Forbes Global Business and Finance magazine?
Louis St. Laurent
William Lyon Mackenzie King
Sir John Abbott
Brian Mulroney
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Brian Mulroney was chairman of more than just an international Forbes magazine! He was also heavily involved with a media company in Quebec. He's been honored on many occasions for his work and he's received many honorary degrees.

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Richard Bedford Bennett
Wiki Commons by Library and Archives Canada
Very charitable, this person gave $25,000 to charities annually. Who is it?
Richard Bedford Bennett
Stephen Harper
Paul Martin
Arthur Meighen
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Richard Bedford Bennett was arguably one of the more charitable prime ministers. His yearly donation of $25,000 to charities went a long way in the 1930s, during the Depression. Of course, this money went to a variety of individuals and causes.

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Louis Stephen St. Laurent
Wiki Commons by Photo Division, Government of India
Before becoming prime minister, he was the minister of justice under Mackenzie King. Can you name him?
John Diefenbaker
Alexander Mackenzie
Louis Stephen St. Laurent
Sir John A. MacDonald
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Just like many before and after him, Louis St. Laurent studied law as a young man. Even before he served as minister of justice, he declined a seat on the Supreme Court of Canada. St. Laurent was the 12th prime minister of Canada.

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William Lyon Mackenzie King
Wiki Commons by BiblioArchives / LibraryArchives from Canada
Which of these men served three terms in office?
Richard Bedford Bennett
William Lyon Mackenzie King
Lester B. Pearson
Brian Mulroney
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

William Lyon Mackenzie King was in office for three non-consecutive terms, serving a total of 21 years, 154 days. He guided Canada through both the Great Depression and World War II.

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John George Diefenbaker
Wiki Commons by George Rutherford, Toronto
Which of the following was the first prime minister to allow Aboriginal people to vote?
John George Diefenbaker
William Lyon Mackenzie King
Pierre Elliott Trudeau
Sir John A. MacDonald
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

One monumental moment in Canadian history was allowing Aboriginal people to vote for the first time. Since 1960, every citizen of the nation has the right to vote, thanks to work done by John Diefenbaker during his term.

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Pierre Elliott Trudeau
Wiki Commons by Rob Mieremet / Anefo
He and his government passed a law stating that all civil servants should be bilingual. Do you know who he is?
Pierre Elliott Trudeau
Arthur Meighen
Sir Wilfrid Laurier
Alexander Mackenzie
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

For Pierre Elliott Trudeau, bilingualism was an issue in Canada. He wanted to make English and French equal within the Federal government, so he created the Official Languages Act to recognize both.

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Joe Clark
Wiki Commons by Canada Jack aka Jeremy Gilbert
This individual's father was in the newspaper industry. Who is this prime minister?
Joe Clark
Pierre Elliott Trudeau
Stephen Harper
Kim Campbell
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Joe Clark grew up in Alberta, where his father ran the High River Times newspaper. He even got into the trade himself as a freelancer, before entering the political scene and eventually becoming the leader of the Conservative Party.

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Sir John Sparrow David Thompson
Wiki Commons by BiblioArchives / LibraryArchives from Canada
Who served as Canada's fourth prime minister?
Stephen Harper
Brian Mulroney
William Lyon Mackenzie King
Sir John Thompson
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While many prime ministers served long terms, Sir John Thompson's time in office was only two years, due to his death in 1894. He has fallen into relative obscurity, but he should be remembered for supporting women's rights at a time when doing so was not popular.

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John Napier Turner
Wiki Commons by Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America
Do you know who was opposed to the Free Trade Agreement?
Brian Mulroney
Kim Campbell
John Napier Turner
Justin Trudeau
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Though an expert on all things free trade, John Turner was against it as a whole. He was the leader of the governing Liberal Party, and despite being against the agreement, he was elected as prime minister. He served for one brief term, in 1984.

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Kim Campbell
Wiki Commons by Simon Fraser University - University Communications
She is the only female prime minister in Canada, as of 2019. Do you know her name?
Jean Chretien
Mackenzie King
Margaret Thatcher
Kim Campbell
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Kim Campbell made history by becoming Canada's first female prime minister in 1993. While her time in office was short, it was an important period for the country. Campbell was also the first female justice minister in Canada.

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Brian Mulroney
Wiki Commons by Lynch
He's known for his participation in the Shamrock Summit, but what is his name?
Brian Mulroney
William Lyon Mackenzie King
Richard Bedford Bennett
John Diefenbaker
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Brian Mulroney joined U.S. President Ronald Reagan on St. Patrick's Day for a famous meeting, dubbed the Shamrock Summit. One important topic was the Free Trade Agreement for North America that John Turner later fought hard to end.

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Jean Chretien
Wiki Commons by Michael Ignatieff
Of the following, who was once a parliamentary secretary?
Jean Chretien
Paul Martin
Lester B. Pearson
Arthur Meighen
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As a parliamentary secretary, Jean Chretien worked with the minister of finance. Shortly after, he became a minister himself, which gave him more political experience. He eventually became the leader of the Liberal Party.

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Sir Mackenzie Bowell
Wiki Commons by William James Topley
He was once the minister of militia and defence under Prime Minister John Thompson. Who is he?
Joe Clark
John Diefenbaker
Sir Mackenzie Bowell
John Turner
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Having prior experience with the Belleville Volunteer Militia Rifle Company, Mackenzie Bowell was a great fit to serve as the minister of militia and defence under John Thompson. He also worked in journalism before his time in office.

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Jean Chretien
Wiki Commons by Duncan Cameron/Library and Archives Canada/PA-115289
During his time as minister of Indian affairs and Northern development, who created 10 new national parks?
Kim Campbell
Pierre Elliott Trudeau
Jean Chretien
Sir Robert Borden
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Creating new national parks is no easy feat, but it was part of Jean Chretien's job as minister of Indian affairs and Northern development. In this position, he worked to solve issues within Indigenous communities.

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Stephen Harper
Wiki Commons by Federal Government (Germany)/ REGIERUNGonline / Steins
Before becoming a Conservative, he was once part of the Reform Party. Can you name him?
Justin Trudeau
Sir Robert Borden
Arthur Meighen
Stephen Harper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Stephen Harper wasn't always part of the Conservative Party — he was a founding member of the Reform Party. Eventually, the Reform Party merged with the Progressive Conservative Party, and Harper became the leader of the new Conservative Party.

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Alexander Mackenzie
Wiki Commons by William James Topley
This person was supposed to be knighted on multiple occasions but ultimately chose not to be. Do you know his name?
John Thompson
Sir Mackenzie Bowell
John A. MacDonald
Alexander Mackenzie
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Alexander Mackenzie was chosen to be knighted, but he had no interest in it. While many prime ministers before and after him jumped at this opportunity, Alexander chose to embrace his working class origins and decline.

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William Lyon Mackenzie King 1899
Wiki Commons by Library and Archives Canada / C-014191
He went to Harvard long before becoming the prime minister. Who is he?
William Lyon Mackenzie King
Joe Clark
Jean Chretien
Louis St. Laurent
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The famous school was lucky enough to have one of Canada's future most famous prime ministers as a student in the late 1800s. Shortly after his schooling, he was already getting his start in politics under Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier.

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Justin Trudeau
Wiki Commons by Frank Schwichtenberg
Do you know the name of the only prime minister born in Ottawa?
Sir John A. MacDonald
Joe Clark
Justin Trudeau
Arthur Meighen
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While Pierre Elliott Trudeau was in office, his son Justin was born in Ottawa. You could say that he was destined to one day become the next Canadian prime minister. He was basically born into it, after all! He's the second youngest prime minister, as of 2019; the youngest was Joe Clark.

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Sir John A. MacDonald
Wiki Commons by Mathew Brady
He had never been to the city of Victoria, British Columbia, but he became their MP. Do you know his name?
Sir John A. MacDonald
Louis St. Laurent
Sir Charles Tupper
Stephen Harper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Typically, members of parliament are at the very least familiar with the area they serve. For a time, Sir John A. MacDonald served the people of Victoria, despite never having visited the area. He was instrumental in the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway, albeit it with some political scandal. The railway was completed in 1885.

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Wiki Commons by Ben Sparkes